Food allergy
Reactions
Some allergens can have life-threatening symptoms
Food allergens
An allergic reaction can happen within a few seconds up to a few hours after the food is eaten
Involves the immune system & makes the body produce a substance called histamine & other chemicals, which leads to a variety of symptoms
Symptoms
Skin rashes - usually raised, red patches called hives
People with a very serious allergy can go into anaphylactic shock. This is usually very sudden & very serious, because of the symptoms including swelling of the mouth & throat & not being able to swallow, speak or breathe properly
Someone suffering from an anaphylactic shock must be given medical treatment asap as it can be deadly
Most common foods that cause allergies
Eggs
Milk
Fish
Crustaceans
Molluscs
Soya
Nuts
Seeds
Celery
Mustard
Lupin
Preservatives
Kiwi
Strawberries
Oranges
Must avoid what they're allergic to in any form - including checking medicines
Law requires that food containing known allergens must clearly say so on the label